What is Aldara (Imiquimod Topical)?

Imiquimod is an immune response modifier. Imiquimod topical is used to treat actinic keratosis (a condition caused by too much sun exposure) on the face and scalp.

Imiquimod topical is also used to treat a minor form of skin cancer called superficial basal cell carcinoma, when surgery would not be an appropriate treatment.

Imiquimod topical also treats genital warts that appear on the outside of the body, but this medicine is not a cure for genital warts.

Imiquimod topical may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Aldara (Imiquimod Topical)?

If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests:

• a weak immune system or autoimmune disorder
• graft-versus-host disease; or
• if you have recently received a bone marrow transplant or cord blood transplant

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether imiquimod topical will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication..

If you are treating the genital or rectal area with imiquimod topical, avoid sexual activity while the medicine is on your skin. Imiquimod topical can weaken the rubber that condoms or diaphragms are made out of. If you use a condom or diaphragm, these items could break if the rubber weakens, and an unplanned pregnancy could result.

It is not known whether imiquimod topical passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Do not use this medicine on a child younger than 12 years old. Imiquimod topical is for use in treating genital warts in patients who are at least 12 years old. All other uses of this medication are for adults over 18 only.

Aldara Side Effects

What are the possible side effects of Aldara (Imiquimod Topical)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Wash off the medicine and call your doctor at once if you have a serious skin reaction such as severe itching, burning, oozing, bleeding, or skin changes where the medicine is applied.

Less serious side effects may include:

• mild skin irritation, dryness, flaking, scabbing, crusting, redness, or hardening of the skin where the medicine was applied
• changes in the color of treated skin
• flu symptoms such as fever, chills, body aches, tired feeling, swollen glands
• cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat
• headache, back ache, muscle pain
• nausea, diarrhea, upset stomach; or
• vaginal itching or discharge

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Aldara Interactions

What other drugs affect Aldara (Imiquimod Topical)?

It is not likely that other drugs you take orally or inject will have an effect on topically applied imiquimod topical. But many drugs can interact with each other. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

What should I avoid while taking Aldara (Imiquimod Topical)?

Avoid getting this medication in your eyes, mouth, and nose, or on your lips. Do not place the cream in your rectum, vagina, or urethra. If it does get into any of these areas, rinse with water. Do not use imiquimod topical on sunburned, windburned, dry, chapped, irritated, or broken skin.

Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Imiquimod topical can make you sunburn more easily. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher) daily.

Avoid having unprotected sex. Imiquimod is not a cure for genital warts, and it will not protect against sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, HIV, syphilis, and trichomoniasis. Talk with your doctor about safe ways to prevent transmission during sex.

Aldara Dosage

How should I take Aldara (Imiquimod Topical)?

Use exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not use in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Using too much of this medicine, or using it for too long can increase your risk of severe skin reactions.

Before applying imiquimod topical, wash your hands and wash the skin area to be treated. Allow the skin to dry for at least 10 minutes before applying the medicine. Always wash your hands after applying the medicine also.

Do not use imiquimod topical on areas of broken, wounded, or burned skin. Wait until these conditions have healed before using imiquimod topical.

Imiquimod topical is normally used 2 to 5 times per week for up to 16 weeks. How you use this medication will depend on the condition you are treating. Follow your doctor’s instructions.

Actinic keratosis:

Usually applied 2 times per week (such as Monday and Thursday, or Tuesday and Friday) for a full 16 weeks. Apply the cream from one imiquimod topical packet to the treatment area, and rub in the cream until it disappears. A single treatment area should be no larger than a 2-inch square. Use the medicine before going to bed and leave it on for 8 hours. In the morning, wash off the medicine with water and a mild soap.

Superficial basal cell carcinoma:

Usually applied 5 times per week (such as Monday through Friday) for a full 6 weeks. Apply the cream from one imiquimod topical packet to the treatment area and the border of skin around it, and rub in the cream until it disappears. Use the medicine before going to bed and leave it on for 8 hours. In the morning, wash off the medicine with water and a mild soap.

Genital warts:

Usually applied 3 times per week (such as Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) for no longer than 16 weeks. Apply the cream from one imiquimod topical packet to the treatment area, and rub in the cream until it disappears. Do not cover the treated skin areas with any type of plastic bandaging, and avoid nylon underwear. You may wear cotton gauze or underwear over the treated area. Use the medicine before going to bed and leave it on for 6 to 10 hours. Then wash off the medicine with water and a mild soap.

When treating genital warts under the foreskin of an uncircumcised penis, pull back the foreskin and wash it with mild soap and water before applying imiquimod topical. Clean this area daily during treatment.

When treating genital warts around the vagina, avoid getting the cream on the more sensitive inner layers of vaginal tissue. This could result in vaginal swelling or irritation and painful urination.

Imiquimod topical is not a cure for genital warts and it may not keep you from spreading this condition to others through vaginal, anal, or oral sex. You may develop new lesions during treatment with imiquimod topical. For best results, keep using the medicine for the entire length of time prescribed by your doctor.

All conditions:

Your doctor will need to check your skin on a regular basis, especially if you have a more severe skin reaction to the medication. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

Call your doctor if your skin condition does not improve or if it gets worse during treatment.

Do not use imiquimod topical to treat any skin condition that has not been checked by a doctor. Do not share this medication with anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms you have.

Each packet of imiquimod topical is for a single application only. Throw away the packet after one use, even if there is medicine left in it. If you treat more than one skin area at a time, ask your doctor how many packets to use.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep each packet unopened until you are ready to use it.

What happens if I overdose on Aldara (Imiquimod Topical)?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include severe skin irritation, feeling light-headed, or fainting.

What happens if I miss a dose of Aldara (Imiquimod Topical)?

Skip the missed dose and wait until the next time you are getting ready for bed to use the medicine. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Edited from everydayhealth.com